OAKHURST — Mountain Christian Center will again play host to the Oakhurst Community Band’s annual “Celebrate America” concert on Sunday, June 26, at 6:30pm.
In celebration of Independence Day, the Oakhurst Community Band will perform a medley of patriotic music, including big band jazz selections, a salute to armed forces, cool blues for trombones, stars and stripes, and a patriotic sing-along.
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This 45-piece band is mountain treasure. In addition to providing spectacular concerts, the more experienced members mentor band students and assist Yosemite High School programs from football to musicals to graduation. As always, their concerts are free.
The Oakhurst Community Band, as we know it now, is the result of one man’s lifelong love of music and his refusal to “let the music die.” Loren Callan and his wife Betty retired to Oakhurst in 1998 and Loren began playing his trumpet with the Oakhurst Community Band. When the band director became too busy to give the band the attention it warranted, Loren was happy to take over directing duties, drawing on his experience as a musician and director during his school years. After Loren’s death in December, 2003, Randy Hyatt, now-retired band director at YHS and Loren’s assistant director, took over as director of the band.
The Oakhurst Community Concert Band, Inc., became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2002. The band is supported by generous donations from corporate sponsors and community service groups, as well as individual music lovers. A Board of Directors is made up of band members and meets throughout the year to make decisions regarding expenditures and concert arrangements.
Concerts are traditionally performed three times each year with rehearsals held in Yosemite High School’s band room. The band members are all volunteer and range in age from middle school students to experienced senior citizens.
Mountain Christian Center is located at 40299 CA-49 in Oakhurst
